March 10th
Motorcycle license requirements in France in force since March 10, 1899.
Graffigny: French Motorcycle History
Barry Sheene MBE dies.
A larger than life character, Sheene began riding at the age of five on a 50cc Ducati which his father gave him and won his first races on his father Frank's Bultacos. He became enormously popular (particularly, it is said, with women), and won numerous GP World Championships.
A heavy smoker, in July 2002 Sheene was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus and stomach. He died in Queensland the following year, age 52.
Barry Sheene